The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother - Hardcover

McBride, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1573220221 ISBN 13: 9781573220224

Publisher: Riverhead Books,U.S., 1996

Synopsis

James McBride grew up one of twelve siblings in the all-black housing projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn, the son of a black minister and a woman who would not admit she was white. The object of McBride's constant embarrassment and continuous fear for her safety, his mother was an inspiring figure, who through sheer force of will saw her dozen children through college, and many through graduate school. McBride was an adult before he discovered the truth about his mother: The daughter of a failed itinerant Orthodox rabbi in rural Virginia, she had run away to Harlem, married a black man, and founded an all-black Baptist church in her living room in Red Hook. In her son's remarkable memoir, she tells in her own words the story of her past. Around her narrative, James McBride has written a powerful portrait of growing up, a meditation on race and identity, and a poignant, beautifully crafted hymn from a son to his mother.

About this title

Review:

Order this book ... and please don't be put off by its pallid subtitle, A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, which doesn't begin to do justice to the utterly unique and moving story contained within. The Color of Water tells the remarkable story of Ruth McBride Jordan, the two good men she married, and the 12 good children she raised. Jordan, born Rachel Shilsky, a Polish Jew, immigrated to America soon after birth; as an adult she moved to New York City, leaving her family and faith behind in Virginia. Jordan met and married a black man, making her isolation even more profound. The book is a success story, a testament to one woman's true heart, solid values and indomitable will. Ruth Jordan battled not only racism but also poverty to raise her children and, despite being sorely tested, never wavered. In telling her story--along with her son's--The Color of Water addresses racial identity with compassion, insight and realism. It is, in a word, inspiring, and you will finish it with unalloyed admiration for a flawed but remarkable individual. And, perhaps, a little more faith in us all.

Review:

Praise for "The Color of Water"

"[A] triumph."--"The New York Times Book Review"

"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race."--"The Washington Post Book World"

"Inspiring."--"Glamour"

"Vibrant."--"The Boston Globe"

"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts."--Bebe Moore Campbell

Praise for "The Color of Water"
"[A] triumph." "The New York Times Book Review"
"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race." "The Washington Post Book World"
"Inspiring." "Glamour"
"Vibrant." "The Boston Globe"
"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts." Bebe Moore Campbell"

"[A] triumph." "The New York Times Book Review"
"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race." "The Washington Post Book World"
"Inspiring." "Glamour"
"Vibrant." "The Boston Globe"
"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts." Bebe Moore Campbell"

"[A] triumph." The New York Times Book Review
"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race." The Washington Post Book World
"Inspiring." Glamour
"Vibrant." The Boston Globe
"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts." Bebe Moore Campbell"

-[A] triumph.---The New York Times Book Review
-As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race.---The Washington Post Book World
-Inspiring.---Glamour
-Vibrant.---The Boston Globe
-James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts.---Bebe Moore Campbell

"[A] triumph."--The New York Times Book Review

"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race."--The Washington Post Book World

"Inspiring."--Glamour

"Vibrant."--The Boston Globe

"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts."--Bebe Moore Campbell

About this edition

• Publisher: Riverhead Books,U.S.
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 1573220221
• ISBN 13: 9781573220224
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 228